Freddy Schuman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freddy Schuman
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Freddy Schuman holding one of his signs near the Bleachers entrance to Yankee Stadium
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| Born | May 23, 1925 |
| Died | October 17, 2010 (aged 85) |
| Other names | Freddy Sez |
| Known for | Unofficial promoter of the Yankees c. 1988 to 2010 |
Freddy Schuman (born May 23, 1925 – died October 17, 2010) was a super fan of the New York Yankees baseball team. People knew him best as Freddy Sez. He was famous for cheering on the Yankees and getting other fans excited.
Freddy was a true New Yorker. He spent many years promoting the Yankees. He encouraged everyone to join in the fun at games.
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About Freddy Schuman
Freddy was born in 1925 and lived in The Bronx, New York, for most of his life. When he was nine, he had an accident playing stickball. He lost the use of his right eye.
Around 1988, Freddy became an unofficial promoter for the Yankees. He continued this special role until he passed away in 2010.
Cheering for the Yankees
Freddy Sez was well-known for how he supported the Yankees. He used special items to get the crowd excited.
The Lucky Pan
Freddy always carried a frying pan with a shamrock painted on it. He believed this shamrock brought the team good luck. Fans would tap the pan with a spoon to make noise. This made a unique sound that echoed through the stadium. You could even hear it during TV broadcasts of the games!
One of Freddy's famous pans is now on display. You can see it at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Another pan is at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in New Jersey.
Colorful Signs
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Freddy also carried many colorful signs. He painted them himself. These signs had messages to cheer on the team and the fans. His signs usually started with "Freddy 'sez'".
Some of his messages included:
- "Again & Again Yankees Prove They Are Great"
- "Fans, We Got To Help Yankees Out Of Slumps"
Sometimes, Freddy would give a sign to a lucky fan after a game. He also took his signs and pan to other events, not just baseball games.
Freddy's Game Day Route
Before games, you could find Freddy outside Yankee Stadium. Once the game started, he would move around the stadium. He went from the grandstand to the main section. Then he would go down to the field level. This way, he could cheer with many different fans.
Freddy in Commercials
Freddy Sez was so famous that he appeared in some commercials!
- He was briefly in a baseball-themed MasterCard commercial. This ad aired during the 2007 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
- He also appeared for a few seconds in the 1992 music video for "Jump Around" by House of Pain.
- After he passed away, Freddy was seen briefly in a Nike Boom commercial. This ad featured actors Craig Robinson and Robinson Canó.
Other Sports Teams
Freddy Sez didn't just cheer for the Yankees. He also supported college basketball and football teams. Some of these included:
- The Manhattan College Jaspers
- The Fordham University Rams and Lady Rams
- The Columbia University Lions
- The Princeton University Tigers
- The Cornell University Big Red
In 2008, Freddy was even seen at the New York Giants parade. This parade celebrated their Super Bowl XLII victory.
Freddy's Legacy
Freddy Schuman passed away on October 17, 2010. He was 85 years old. He died at Lenox Hill Hospital after having a heart attack.
The Yankees honored Freddy in a special way. Before Game 3 of the 2010 American League Championship Series, they displayed some of his items. They also held a moment of silence for him. Freddy Sez will always be remembered as a dedicated Yankees super fan.
